7 p.m. vs. L.A. Clippers • Target Center • FSN, 830-AM
Preview: The Timberwolves, eliminated from the playoffs, start a final stretch in which they will play the next three games at Target Center and will be at home for seven of the final nine games. Minnesota ended a five-game losing streak Saturday with a victory in Memphis. The Clippers are the league's hottest team, having won five straight games and 10 of their past 11, in the process rising to fifth in the Western Conference standings; entering Monday's games the Clippers were just two games behind fourth-place Portland. So the Clippers are still playing for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Players to watch: Wolves G Tyus Jones has averaged 12.0 points and 7.7 assists in his past three games. Rookie G Josh Okogie has averaged 16.8 points and shot 53.3 percent in his past four games. F Dario Saric has made five of nine three-pointers in his last two games. Clippers F Danilo Gallinari has scored 20 or more in nine straight games, a career best, and has averaged 25.1 points in that span. Lou Williams (20.3) and Montrezl Harrell (16.6) are the top two scorers off the bench in the league this season.
Numbers: Williams and Harrell have the highest combined scoring average (36.9) of any reserves on the same team in NBA history. The Wolves are 1-1 vs. the Clippers this season and have won seven of the past eight games between the teams.
Injuries: F Taj Gibson (calf) is questionable. F Robert Covington (knee bone bruise), F Luol Deng (Achilles), G Derrick Rose (elbow surgery) and G Jeff Teague (left foot) are out.
